Militants, troops die in al Qaeda attack in Yemen

Suspected Al-Qaeda militants man a checkpoint in the southern Yemeni province of Shabwa on Tuesday.

Story highlights

Militants hit an army barracks in Abyan province, officials say

Al Qaeda has expanded its control over parts of Yemen

Government warplanes bombed al Qaeda positions last week

At least 17 suspected al Qaeda militants die in Monday's fighting

Al Qaeda militants seized control of a military base and two checkpoints during raids in southern Yemen on Monday in which at least 30 people died, security officials and residents said.

Hours of firefights erupted after the militants hit an army barracks in the Loder district of Abyan province in an assault that included heavy artillery, according to the officials.

The dead included 17 militants, 11 soldiers and two members of pro-government tribes, they said.

This is the second militant attempt to take over Loder this year. The first was in early January.

Last week, Yemen poured thousands of troops into the country's south to battle al Qaeda fighters and tighten security, officials said. Yemeni warplanes bombarded al Qaeda hideouts all week in a series of U.S.-supported airstrikes in Abyan and Lahj provinces.